Trump Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.